Residents urge OCII to preserve East Cut Crossing and pause Pelican Park construction to retain active recreation

Dozens of community members spoke during the meeting's public-comment blocks on Nov. 7, urging the commission to preserve the East Cut "Crossing" — a temporary, grassroots activation featuring pickleball courts, mini soccer fields, food vendors and programmed events — and to pause or reconsider the permanent Pelican Park design now under implementation.

Speakers included residents, the East Cut Community Benefit District, homeowners-association representatives and local business owners who said the Crossing has generated neighborhood cohesion, after-work foot traffic and business for local vendors. Andrew Robinson, executive director of the East Cut Community Benefit District, said the Crossing has hosted farmers markets, cultural events, sports and local festivals and has become "the heartbeat of our neighborhood." Multiple speakers described daily and weekend usage patterns, volunteer-run programming and the public-health and social benefits of accessible, low-cost active recreation (particularly pickleball and youth soccer).

Supporters asked the commission to pause the scheduled Pelican Park construction until alternate active facilities are delivered or to modify designs to incorporate space for the Crossing's active uses. Some speakers quantified observed activity (surveys and counts of users during peak days) and noted vendor and reservation revenue opportunities (pickleball reservations and events) that can offset program costs.

There were a small number of speakers who supported the proposed Pelican Park green design for biodiversity and quiet urban nature. Commissioners acknowledged the comments and the letters received from the Transbay community and said staff will take the feedback into consideration in ongoing planning and follow-up.

Why it matters: The dispute pits a community's organically grown, highly-activated temporary use against a planned permanent park design; commissioners must weigh neighborhood needs for active recreation, vendor revenue and community-building against the agency's park design objectives and timelines.

Next steps: The commission acknowledged receipt of many letters and public testimony; staff signaled follow-up and further community engagement on Block 3/Pelican Park implementation and adjacent projects.